Matthew17

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, where Moses and Elias appear, and a voice from heaven declares Him God's beloved Son. Afterward, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy, rebuking His disciples for their unbelief and emphasizing prayer and fasting. He then foretells His death and resurrection and miraculously provides money for the temple tribute through Peter.

The Transfiguration of Jesus

1
Six days later, Yeshua took Kefa, Ya`akov and his brother Yochanan and led them up a high mountain privately. ​
2
As they watched, he began to change form -- his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became as white as light. ​
3
Then they looked and saw Moshe and Eliyahu speaking with him. ​
4
Kefa said to Yeshua, "It's good that we're here, Lord. I'll put up three shelters if you want -- one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu." ​
5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them; and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!" ​
6
When the talmidim heard this, they were so frightened that they fell face down on the ground.
7
But Yeshua came and touched them. "Get up!" he said, "Don't be afraid."
8
So they opened their eyes, looked up and saw only Yeshua by himself.

Discussion About Elijah

9
As they came down the mountain, Yeshua ordered them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." ​
10
The talmidim asked him, "Then why do the Torah-teachers say that Eliyahu must come first?" ​
11
He answered, "On the one hand, Eliyahu is coming and will restore all things;
12
on the other hand, I tell you that Eliyahu has come already, and people did not recognize him but did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way, the Son of Man too is about to suffer at their hands." ​
13
Then the talmidim understood that he was talking to them about Yochanan the Immerser.

Healing a Demon-Possessed Boy

14
As they came up to the crowd, a man approached Yeshua, kneeled down in front of him,
15
and said, "Sir, have mercy on my son, because he is an epileptic and has such terrible fits that he often falls into the fire or into the water. ​
16
I brought him to your talmidim, but they couldn't heal him."
17
Yeshua answered, "Perverted people, without any trust! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me!" ​
18
Yeshua rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, so that from that moment he was healed.
19
Then the talmidim went to him privately and said, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He said to them, "Because you have such little trust! Yes! I tell you that if you
20
have trust as tiny as a mustard seed, you will be able to say to this mountain, `Move from here to there!' and it will move; indeed, nothing will be impossible for you!" ​
21
But this kind does not go out except through prayer and fasting." ​

Jesus Predicts His Death Again

22
As they were going about together in the Galil, Yeshua said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of people ​
23
who will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised." And they were filled with sadness.

Paying the Temple Tax

24
When they came to K'far-Nachum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Kefa and said, "Doesn't your rabbi pay the Temple tax?" ​
25
"Of course he does," said Kefa. When he arrived home, Yeshua spoke first. "Shim`on, what's your opinion? The kings of the earth -- from whom do they collect duties and taxes? From their sons or from others?" ​
26
"From others," he answered. "Then," said Yeshua, "The sons are exempt.
27
But to avoid offending them -- go to the lake, throw out a line, and take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth, and you will find a shekel. Take it and give it to them for me and for you." ​

Study Notes for Matthew 17

Verse 1

The selection of Peter, James, and John marks them as the inner circle, often present at key events. The 'high mountain' symbolizes a place of divine revelation (cf. Moses on Sinai).

Verse 2

This event is a proleptic (anticipatory) glimpse of Christ's future glory in the Kingdom, confirming his divine identity before the coming suffering.

Verse 3

Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. Their appearance validates Jesus as the fulfillment and culmination of the entire Old Testament revelation.

Verse 4

Peter’s suggestion to build tabernacles (tents) seeks to preserve the moment of glory, indicating his desire to remain in the presence of the divine rather than return to ministry and suffering.

Verse 5

The voice repeats the declaration from Jesus' baptism (3:17), confirming his messianic status, but adds the crucial command, 'hear ye him,' establishing Jesus' authority above the Law and Prophets.

Verse 9

Jesus commands silence until after the resurrection because the disciples would not fully understand the nature of the suffering Messiah until his victory over death was complete.

Verse 10

The disciples recall the prophecy (Malachi 4:5) that Elijah must return before the Messiah's great day, attempting to reconcile this vision with current prophetic expectations.

Verse 12

Jesus clarifies that the prophecy of Elijah's return was fulfilled in John the Baptist, whose rejection and suffering foreshadowed Jesus' own impending rejection and suffering.

Verse 15

The term 'lunatick' (Gr. *selēniazomai*, 'moonstruck') was used for epilepsy or seizure disorders, but Matthew attributes the condition directly to demonic possession (v. 18).

Verse 17

Jesus' frustration is directed not just at the crowd, but specifically at the disciples’ inability to perform the healing despite the authority previously granted to them (10:1).

Verse 20

Jesus emphasizes that the failure was due to a lack of faith, contrasting the power of genuine faith (even small, like a mustard seed) with their current spiritual impotence.

Verse 21

This verse, absent in some early manuscripts, highlights the traditional understanding that certain powerful spiritual battles require focused spiritual discipline beyond simple command.

Verse 22

This is the second major prediction of his passion (cf. 16:21), occurring immediately after the glorious Transfiguration, reinforcing that suffering is a necessary prerequisite to glory.

Verse 24

The 'tribute money' (*didrachma*) was the annual half-shekel Temple tax required of every Jewish male aged 20 and over for the upkeep of the Jerusalem Temple (Exod. 30:11–16).

Verse 25

Jesus uses the analogy of earthly kings to establish his divine sonship. Since kings do not tax their own sons, Jesus is inherently exempt from the Temple tax, being the Son of God.

Verse 27

Jesus pays the tax to avoid causing offense (*skandalon*) or undermining the ministry, demonstrating submission to human custom while simultaneously performing a miracle to provide the funds.

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